Recently, the quarterfinalists for the 2024 Scottish Open have been determined. Six Chinese players competed, with three advancing and three being eliminated. Veteran Xiao Guodong, young player Wu Yize, and Lei Peifan made a strong showing to reach the quarterfinals, while Ding Junhui, Xing Zihao, and Long Zehuang were unfortunately knocked out.
Lei Peifan, who had previously defeated Murphy to create the biggest upset, continued his streak by beating Bingham, which can also be considered another upset given that his opponent's overall level and past achievements are higher than his own. Lei Peifan staged an incredible comeback from a 1-3 deficit, winning three consecutive frames to complete the stunning reversal. He also scored a high break of 134 points and ultimately seized the opportunity of Bingham's defensive error in the decider to win 4-3 and eliminate Bingham.
Xiao Guodong maintained his fiery form, defeating Maguire with impressive breaks of 82, 94, 114, and 92 points to secure an easy 4-1 victory. Wu Yize engaged in a tough battle with Hawkins, going the full seven frames before clinching a narrow 4-3 victory in the decider. Although his single-frame scores were not as eye-catching as Xiao Guodong's, winning the match is what counts!
Ding Junhui, who once led 3-1 against Brelchel and even scored high breaks of 125 and 126 points, experienced a dip in form at a critical moment and was overtaken by Brelchel, who won three frames in a row, resulting in a heartbreaking 3-4 reversal. This loss not only marked Ding Junhui's first defeat to Brelchel but also ended his journey in this year's Scottish Open. After the match, Ding Junhui expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of the table on social media, calling it "amateur-level."
The two other Chinese players, Xing Zihao and Long Zehuang, also fell short despite their highlights. Xing Zihao, who scored a high break of 138 points in the match, lost 1-4 to Wakelin. Wakelin has been in excellent form recently, feeling like he's about to explode! Long Zehuang took the first frame but was then overwhelmed by four consecutive frames, losing 1-4 to Tom Ford. Tom Ford, who just won the single-frame timed event championship, although not very significant, achieved his first ranking event title, greatly boosting his confidence. Once the barrier is broken, a small burst usually follows.
With the end of the round of 16, the quarterfinal lineup for this year's Scottish Open has been finalized, and the matchups have been revealed:
- Wu Yize vs. Wakelin (December 13, 20:00)
- Brelchel vs. Xiao Guodong (December 13, 23:00)
- Tom Ford vs. Lei Peifan (December 14, 03:00)
- Noppon Saengkham vs. Mark Allen (December 14, 03:00)
Looking at the matchups, Chinese players still have a good chance of winning the championship. Especially in the lower half of the draw, if both Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong can overcome their opponents, they will meet in the semifinals for a Chinese derby.
In conclusion, the future looks promising for the Chinese contingent. Facing the upcoming quarterfinals, the three Chinese players need to go all out to strive for better results on a higher stage. We look forward to them showcasing their strongest abilities and writing a new glorious chapter for Chinese snooker!
